Snatch and Grab - The Punch and Run
Posted on Mon Jun 12th, 2023 @ 11:01pm by Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell & Remal Kajun & Patin
Mission:
Repairs and Retribution
Location: Starbase 67, USS Sunfire Bridge
Timeline: Current
Wary little Bonnie responded, “A ship? They are planning to take the Sunfire and go after the freighters. Dean and the others were talking about a cloaking device. We could just go with them, let them in on the whole bait thing.” She said with cautious optimism.
Patin mulled it over. “That could have pros and cons to it. The Order is not stupid. They know the Federation is hunting for them. If they return it will likely be in force or as an incursion. If the Sunfire is the target and they know things could go South fast. What do you think Meatbag? You’re the bait after all?”
His mind was already pressing forward. “I think we are doing too much of what the others are doing, thinking instead of acting. I say we make our way to the civilian docks and hijack the fastest ship we can find. We’ll figure out the rest enroute.”
Patin shrugged, “Works for me.” Then she paused as she saw the look of worry on Bonnie’s face. “This one can’t come with us, might lose her job, or her head. But, I think she can be of use. Bonnie, what say you give us a head start and then go tell the others where we’ve gone?” She playfully ribbed Remal. “This way everything seems legit.”
Bonnie looked back and forth between the two of them and then settled on Remal. “You’re sure about this plan?” SHe pleaded with his inner sensibility.
“Pretty sure. If anyone understands what it means to outsmart some Cardassians, a pair of Bajorans who have been doing it for their whole lives is a fair place to start, I imagine.” His voice was reassuring, for both Bonnie and for himself.
“Okay, how long do you need?” She asked before abruptly hugging Remal as though she were never going to see him again.
He hugged her back, his body easing her tension. “About half an hour should do.” He eyed Patin over Bonnie’s head. As they parted he turned and picked up a weapon of his own and tucked it into his waist pocket. “Just give us some time to get out front. Let the attack happen. Then follow us in guns ablazing if that’s what the others have decided on.”
Bonnie pulled away and nodded, sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes which had not fallen yet. She looked at Patin, “I’ll send you the information for the beacon. Make sure to inject it in an inconspicuous spot.” Then she scowled as she put on a serious face. “Take care of him, you know, well, because we won’t find the others if you don’t.”
“I get it.” Patin said with a nod of acknowledgement. “Now go on, git.” She shooed.
Bonnie gave another look of uncertainty from Patin to Remal, then spun on her heels and walked out of the room. She paused outside in order to really think about what she had just done, then decided on a place to hide and began counting. 1 - 2 - 3…
“Ready?” Patin asked Remal.
“Stupid question.” He returned. Then they both headed out of her quarters, off the ship and across the starbase to the civilian side docking ports. They were on the hunt for a ship.
Later, Bonnie returned to the conference room only to find no one there. Apparently they had already decided on a plan and were preparing or currently attempting to enact said plan. This put her in a difficult position. She fretted and heavily questioned her own ability to maintain a secret.
There had been a number of times in her life someone had asked her to keep a secret and she would try and hold on to it. But it was there, in the forefront of her mind and often sitting on her tongue, waiting for the right person to ask the right question. When that happened she would spill the beans and then some. Like a flood gate her secrets would be unleashed.
She asked the computer to locate the Sunfire bridge officers and was met with “They are currently onboard the Sunfire, Deck 1, Bridge.” At least most of them. Some had gone to the station and others to the engine room of the Sunfire. They were clearly prepping her for departure.
Bonnie bit her tongue and headed for the bridge, walking fast, eyes forward, mouth shut. As the doors slid open, she looked about the room and realized most of the bridge stations were already being taken by people who were in the conference room. Everyone seemed to be on board with the idea of stealing the ship. She was in doubt but maintained silence.
“You didn’t have to punch him.” Remal commented as he sat down in the navigator's seat and began preparing the small ship for departure.
Patin finished closing the door. “Had to make it look real didn’t I?” She said as she sat into the pilot’s seat. “Besides this gives him reason to…”
At that moment an alarm klaxon inside the bay began sounding, indicating something was not right. “Well that was fast.” Remal joked.
“Lucky for us there is an incoming ship. Time to move.” Patin said as she decoupled the docking clamps which kept the ship tethered to the station. “Time to blow this jumja joint.”
“Thrusters ready. Shields, online. Weapons… well, they exist.” Remal read back. He was going through the system startup checks like he had always done this, while skimming over things which weren’t vital to what they were attempting to do.
Patin engaged the thrusters, then pushed the throttle all the way up. “Hold on to your britches Meatsack.” The small craft, a large shuttle, used for smuggling cargo or whatever the previous owner desired, launched forward into the bay. Patin maneuvered the small ship up and over a larger vessel, then sluggishly down and around another. Finally she aimed the nose at the open bay doors and straightened her out.
”As soon as we are clear, go to warp. She’s good for warp six according to this.” Remal smiled, hope skimming his heart valve. “Coordinates laid in. Now we just have to hope we’re small enough to go unnoticed.”
“At least for now.” Patin offered knowing the real plan was to get captured, not make it to Cardassia in this stolen shit box of a ship. “Would be better if they tried to stop us or something. Do you think little Bonnie has spilled the beans yet?”
“Not a chance.” Remal said confidently.
“Captain House, station quartermaster is hailing sir. Seems like someone is attempting to steal a civilian cargo ship.” Came the announcement on the Sunfire bridge.
TBC
